U N D P / M YA/86/019 M Y A N M A R Assignment Report Serial No. RACAP/PROAP/92/2 Conservation of Cultural Her¡tage ^ Se|ected Sites in M y a n m a r For internal use only : not for general distribution The Conservation of Monuments in Pagan, Myanmar by Pierre Pichará International Project Coordinator UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION Bangkok 1992 UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UNDP/MYA/86/019 Assignment Report RACAP/PROAP/92/2 Bangkok, 27 April 1992 Note: This report reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of UNESCO. Contents page INTRODUCTION 2 PROGRESS OF ON-GOING ACTIVITIES 1 Conservation of monuments 2 Seismic strengthening 3 Conservation of mural paintings and stuccoes 4 Stone conservation 5 Delivery of equipment 6 Documentation 7 Training 8 Mobilization of international assistance PLANNED FUTURE ACTIVITIES 10 Field laboratory 11 Development of cultural tourism 12 Master plan for Pagan archaeological area CONCLUSION 13 Evaluation and monitoring 14 Summary of main recommendations ANNEXES 1 Diary of the mission 2 List of persons contacted 3 Project missions a - implemented in 1991 b - scheduled for 1992 3 3 7 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 18 20 22 Abstract The implementation of Project MYA/86/019 has progressed in 1991 according to its main objectives. The fielding of eight consultants simultaneously together with the presence in Pagan of a UNESCO staff member in December 1991 and January 1992, in part due to delayed missions which were scheduled earlier, has in fact been quite beneficial because it has given a strong impetus to all activities and provided opportunity for numerous meetings and encounters between the consultants themselves as well as with the national counterparts and staff at all levels. While present activities have to go on, some new perspectives are contemplated which are perfectly in line with the Project strategy. 1 INTRODUCTION The present mission was undertaken from 7 December 1991 to 30 January 1992 (see annex 1: diary of the mission), as a regular co-ordination mission under project MYA/86/019 approved on 6 December 1989, whose effective implementation started in 1990 and is expected to be completed by the end of 1993. The terms of reference were as follows: 1 - to prepare a work-plan for the implementation of the above-mentioned project in consultation with the National Co- National Co-ordinator. 2 - ordinator, national to prepare, a framework and determine the together for international effective with the effective staff. roles participation The of the of framework will national and international staff. 3 - to collaborate with the National Co-ordinator in the implementation of the project, in particular as regards: a) the preservation and restoration of national monuments and artifacts at selected sites through the activities of: (i) the survey of monuments, artifacts and other items considered part of the cultural heritage of Myanmar including the damage assessment of each structure and the determination of priorities for preservation or restoration activities; (ii) the preservation and restoration activities including restoration of the selected monuments, 2 artifacts and murals; (iii) the specialized training of technical personnel with emphasis on application of suitable techniques in the above fields; (iv) the preparation of the Department of Archaeology's plan for recurrent operational costs, maintenance, repair and depreciation of equipment provided under the present project, b) the establishment of the national teams which will be in charge of : (i) survey of cultural heritage; (ii) strengthening of monuments and artifacts; (iii) treatment and conservation of mural paintings and stuccoes; and (iv) protection of the Pagan archaeological area. PROGRESS OF ACTIVITIES 1. Conservation of Monuments. As mentioned in earliest reports, two distinct agencies are involved in the conservation of monuments in Pagan: - The Public Works (formerly Construction Corporation) carry out major works commissioned by the Department of Archaeology. The present work-force of its Conservation Unit amounts to 135 workers in 5 teams under the guidance of a civil engineer and her assistants. - The Department of Archaeology implements minor repair and conservation works on small monuments, with 73 3 workers divided into 3 teams under the leadership of archaeological officers and an assistant engineer. 1.1 Public Works. The Public works are carrying out repairs and restoration works on the following monuments: - Structural strengthening in progress on That-byin-nyu temple 1597. During several working sessions with the PW engineer, Dr. Gavrilovic gave detailed instruction for the final strengthening steps and amended the proposal given in the first Iziis technical report (1982) according to the last results of the masonry tests performed in 1987 and 1992. Based on all works previously implemented on That—byin-nyu, this final strengthening project excludes the reinforced concrete jacketing proposed earlier. - On-going masonry repairs on Pyatada temple 1803. Restoration of the base all around the monument and of collapsed vaults. Site preservation and Hsin-byu-shin monastic complex. masonry repairs in the The main temple, Hsin-byu- shin 697, has been repaired though not strengthened against future earthguakes. The ruined monastery 698, which caollapsed during the 1975 earthquake, has been completely cleared of debris and repaired, and PW agreed to a proposal to improve its upper parts in order to provide a better understanding of the former upper storey. The platform of ordination hall 700 has been restored and several cubical monastic units are progressively repaired, but consultants pointed out the need to systematically provide a simple seismic strengthening to these fragile vaulted structures. - Masonry repairs on 12th century temple 1686. - Structural strengthening on Mahabodi temple 1670. 4 - Clearing of debris and first masonry monastic structure 448 in Minnanthu. repairs on This multi-storeyed building with wide vaulted rooms has been in poor condition for a long time, and was again severely cracked during the 1975 earthquake. Its conservation is an urgent necessity because of its uniqueness in the Pagan context, but involves dangerous works on unstable masonries and must imperatively be completed by a thorough structural strengthening. After several technical site meetings between PW and Department of Archaeology members and consultants Gavrilovic and Yarmola, a specific strengthening project was agreed and Department of specifications given to PW engineer. 1.2 Department Archaeology works on has of Archaeology. implemented several monuments The emergency or partial repair (Loka-hteik-pan temple 1580, Shwe-san-daw stupa 1569, Winido group, etc.), completed masonry repairs on temple floor of monastery 1415. are in progress Shwe-gu-gyi 1422 and on ground In addition, on-going conservation works on the 1589, and city wall, structural excavations repair and around restoration works on the wood monastery east of Taungbi village. 1.3 Consultants' Activity. In December 1991 and January 1992, all project consultants worked in close contact with their counterparts from both agencies, and suggestions for improvement were given during numerous technical site meetings, field training and technical discussions, aiming at promoting a maintenance, at more systematic improving and the quality effective and routine standards of workmanship, and at organizing a systematic integration of the structural strengthening in the conservation process, 5 since the present tendency to implement masonry independently while leaving strengthening second phase demolition results of in building waste parts of repairs for an eventual time and previously in unwanted repaired. J.C. Yarmola gave several technical lectures to the staff of both agencies, and organized technical training on working sites. 1.4 Conservation programme. The tentative conservation programme proposed by the Department of Archaeology for the next three should fiscal obviously years was discussed. reflect the increased This programme capacity of both agencies in terms of trained manpower and of complementary equipment provided by therefore foresee an selection of the present project, intensification monuments to be of and should activities. repaired and The strengthened should be more strictly based on their condition, and on a risk evaluation of their deterioration. A proposal was made to include the development of a maintenance and conservation strategy in the expected Master Plan, using the Inventory of Monuments as a computerized data base for selection of conservation priorities. 1.5 Emergency works. assessment, emergency Presently works have and been as a preliminary identified on the following monuments: - Kyaukku Umin 154. leakage of rain Roof and outlet repairs to prevent water, consolidation of a crack in the south-east corner of the shrine. Tayok-pyay 539. Repair on the boundary wall, consolidation of stucco carvings and of the painted plaster inside. - Temple 1117. Masonry repairs (vault exposed). 6 - Temple 1148, south of Somin-gyi monastery. Masonry repairs, stucco and mural paintings consolidation. - Temple 1149, south of Somin-gyi monastery. Repair of upper parts (vault exposed on south-west corner). - Temple 1852. Repair and strengthening of upper storey. Taungbi Mon-gu 2013. Structural strengthening and repair (cracks in central core and south wall, displacement of outer walls), consolidation of mural paintings. 2. Seismic strengthening. In close co-operation with the staff of Public Works, P. Gavrilovic progamme at implemented the selected the last part of his testing monastery 2094 on two forcibly cracked and repaired by injections in 1988. walls The results are consistent with the previous ones, and show that the average Pagan brick masonry is much more resistant than anticipated in the initial calculations. Using these rectified paramètres, P. Gavrilovic was able to revise the strengthening projects for That-byin-nyu temple and other monuments. Structural drawings were accordingly prepared with the staff of Public Works. visited all working sites In addition, P. Gavrilovic to advise on structural strengthening and provide detailed instructions. 3. Conservation of mural paintings and stuccoes. In 1991 and for the first time, two teams have been concurrently at work in Pagan: in addition to completing conservation works in Kubyauk-gyi temple 1323, selected in 1983 as a pilot monument, a second team is now working in Abe-ya-da-na temple 1202. 7 Training new recruits started in July 1991 and intensified during the ICCROM mission of December 1991 and January 1992, which involved three experts. Final consolidation of paintings and stuccoes was completed in Kubyauk-gyi temple, and the lighting material previously provided by the project will be installed in July 1992. The temple will thus become one of the major attraction for visitors. The presentation of the 12th century cloth-painting found in temple 315 and restored in 1987 by C. Giantomassi and D. Zarri was discussed with the restorers Department of Archaeology. and the The painting is now protected in a special case and presently kept in an air-conditioned store-room of the Department in Yangon. It was agreed that its right place should be the Pagan Museum, where it can be suitably presented to the public. Pagan being considerably less humid than Yangon, it appears that air-conditioning will be unnecessary, though an added protection must be provided against dust and direct light. D. Zarri and C. Giantomassi will prepare a project for this exhibit and specify the equipment needed. For future activity, a priority list of 12 monuments with mural paintings has previously been proposed by the Department of Archaeology, but it has been drafted on purely archaeological criteria and concentrates on 12th century paintings, without condition. combine enough consideration of their actual Here again, a more logical approach would be to archaeological and conservation criteria, since there are paintings from later periods, mostly 13th century but 18th century as well, which are presently in a more 8 critical condition disappearing. Lujan, and sometimes in real danger of The priority list is being revised by R. U Aye Maung and members of the conservation teams, for whom this diagnostic exercise is an essential part of their theoretical and practical training. Up to now, very few of the trainees have been permanently recruited as staff members by the Department of Archaeology, and most of them were paid as daily wagers with the project supplementing their wages as an incentive. agreed 22 December now recruit during Department the meeting of Archaeology of will 1991, these As the team members under a three year contract, with an increased monthly salary. Since the need to secure the permanent assignment of qualified people is also evident in other sectors (e.g. maintenance, masonry, carpentry, etc.), the same procedure should be extended. 4. Stone Conservation . During his consultant mission, P. Pagnin visited the few monuments in Pagan where the stone has been extensively used (Shwe-zigon, Kyaukku-umin and Nanpaya) and concentrated, as planned, on the conservation process of the sandstone facing of Nanpaya 1139. Several tests were performed with various chemicals, and it was found that the porosity of the stone is too low to ensure their deep absorption. In this condition, it would be dangerous to treat the whole surface, since the result would be a crust in the stone, and the method recommended is to inject the consolidating agent by small quantities in the multiple micro-cracks, with partial badly eroded areas. surface consolidation on the Since this treatment must imperatively 9 be carried out during the dry season, it is now scheduled for December 1992 - January 1993. Details of the technical proposal will apear in the consultant report. According to the consultant, the main factor of stone decay is the thermal shock resulting from high temperature change between day and night. One simple mean to mitigate this treat is to shade the monument by planting trees in front of its south and west sides, which are the most severely exposed to direct sunlight. flowing rainwater, which must be Another factor is the checked by a better maintenance of the roof and by improving its outlets. 5. Delivery of equipment. With the exception of the project vehicle, the equipment ordered in 1991 has reached Myanmar during the present mission, and has been progressively transported to Pagan by the Department of Archaeology. Given the yet unsolved difficulties to secure a regular supply of chemicals needed for the treatment of mural paintings, it was decided that R. Lujan will spend a few days in Bangkok suitable to suppliers explore and the local determine the market, identify most effective transport system to Myanmar. The Department of Archaeology's plan for maintenance, repair and depreciation of equipment, including the items provided under the present project, was briefly discussed. It should be noted that the Department of Archaeology as well as the Public Works in Pagan have shown their capacity to effectively maintain their equipment: despite difficulties and delays for securing spare parts, most of the equipments are in daily use, including the vehicles, 10 lorries and building equipment provided by international assistance (UNESCO and Japan mainly) some 14 years ago. 6. Documentâtion. 6.1 Inventory of monuments. The Department of Archaeology has corrected and endorsed the draft of the first volume, covering monuments from 1 to 255. Its publication has been finalized during several meetings at UNESCO Headquarters, and the volume is planned to be ready for printing in May 1992. Work on the second volume has already started. 6.2 Inventory of sculptures. permanently assigned to Pagan The photographer now by the Department of Archaeology has recorded all stone images which have been removed from isolated temples, and the photographs will be pasted on itemized image files, as recommended in previous reports. Gypsum replicas made in the Pagan Museum are progressively installed at the original location of these stone images, now stored in the Museum for greater safety. 6.3 Photogrammetry. Since it was not possible to send the engineer selected for the project fellowship to the Delft University in Netherlands, a proposal for photogrammetric training has been received from the Belgrade University in Yugoslavia, while another possibility is to give him advanced practical training in France, where the recording unit of the Ministry of Culture is using the same equipment which was previously provided by the Project to the Department of Archaeology in Yangon. 6.4 Publications. The photographer mission to carry out a complete colour photographic record of the paintings in Kubyauk-gyi temple after completion of their treatment could 11 not be implemented as scheduled. Officers from the Department of Archaeology have already prepared the texts for a comprehensive book on the temple, which can be issued in co-operation with a private publisher. 7. Training. 7.1 Fellowships. - U Kyaw Tun Aung has left for a six-month fellowship on museology and conservation of art objects at the Archaeology School of Archaeology and National Museum in New Delhi, India. Daw San San Maw is leaving for a six-month fellowship on museology and conservation of art objects at the University College in London, UK, under a contract with the School of Oriental and African Studies. The nine-month fellowship on architectural photogrammetry (U Aye Ko) is delayed (see above, 5.3). - U Than Htay, from the Pagan team, is completing the ICCROM course on conservation of mural paintings in India. U Myo Nyunt and U Ye Myint have completed their training in architectural drawing and survey at EFEO in Pondicherry (September-December 1991), under fellowships granted by the French government. three-month The same opportunity has been offered in 1992 for two other trainees from the Department of Archaeology. 7.2 Study-tours. U Nyunt Han, Assistant Director of Department of Archaeology and National Project Co-ordinator, and U Aung Kyaing, Research Officer, Department of Archaeology Pagan, have completed a 3-week study tour to 1? inspect the implementation and management of historical park projects in Thailand and Indonesia. 8. Mobilization of international assistance. The promotion tour in Europe by the Director-General and the Assistant Director of Department of Archaeology, to develop awareness assistance and to to the future mobilize the needs active for long term participation of governmental and non-governmental institutions, is scheduled for May 1992. R. Lujan in Rome, C. Manhart at UNESCO Headquarters and E. Moore in London are making arrangements and preparing the tour programme on the following tentative schedule: - 6-13 May 1992: Italy (including ICCROM General Conference, 7-9 May) - 13-25 May 1992: UNESCO Headquarters (Paris) and France - 25 May - 4 June 1992: Great Britain PLANNED FUTURE ACTIVITIES 9. Manuals for Conservation in Pagan. The technical consultants will be recommendations included in of a set the of project 4 basic conservation manuals under the following divisions: 1. 2. Conservation process (P. Pichard) a. records and drawings b. factors of decay (climate, seisms, etc.) c. analysis and diagnostic d. maintenance Masonry repair (J.C. Yarmola) 13 10. 3. Structural strengthening (P. Gavrilovic) 4. Conservation of painting and stucco (R. Lujan) Field Laboratory. As previously suggested by Dr. Khan, a field laboratory should be set up in Pagan. It will not be used for the thorough restoration of archaeological pieces, for which the Department has facilities in Yangon, but will allow the initial cleaning and treatment of archaeological objects (bronzes, pottery, terracotta and glazed pieces, wood, etc.) and will also be used for simple analysis and quality control of conservation materials etc.). (lime, mortar, bricks, It will include a small library of manuals and textbooks. A suitable building has been selected north of Ananda temple, which can be easily converted. R. Lujan will prepare a list of the requested equipment for the treatment and repair section. The quality control of bricks and mortar will necessitate an hydraulic press for compression and bending tests and a set of gages, for which P. Gavrilovic has agreed to provide specifications. 11. Cultural Tourism. The mission report of the consultants for Cultural Tourism provides detailed suggestions and recommendations for developing the benefits of tourism in Pagan, and more broadly effects. in Myanmar, while avoiding It is realistically its detrimental side based on the present conditions and focuses on their gradual improvement rather than on drastic change, and recommends a limited development for the next five years. 14 Significantly, the report points out the strong relationship between tourism, conservation of monuments and physical planning of the archaeological area, and calls for the development of a Conservation Centre in Pagan, with enhanced facilities for professional research and practical conservation management. The recommendations of this report which concern the Pagan area will in fact be taken into consideration when finalizing the Master Plan. 12. Master Plan for Pagan archaeological area. Mr. J. Sanday, consultant for the preparation of the Master Plan, has been working one month in Pagan in close co-operation with his counterparts, Professor U Lwin Aung, Professor and Lecturer U Cho Oo, both Institute of Technology. During a from the Yangon meeting with the Director-General of the Department of Archaeology and local authorities, including the Chairman of Nyaung U Township LORC, the proposal activities relating to put a moratorium to construction of on new all further roads and buildings, planting of trees, in the archaeological area pending the approval of the Master Plan was accepted. A questionnaire on basic development data was answered for all concerned villages. On the results of this preparatory work, the consultant has prepared a Project Document to finalize the Master Plan. Its objectives will include delineating the protected zones, planning the circulation network, providing guidelines for landscaping and building, establishing a long term conservation plan and developing a co-ordinated strategy for cultural tourism, educational and promotional activities. 15 UNESCO will prepare the implementation of this closely related project, expected to be financed under trust funds. CONCLUSION 13. Evaluation and monitoring. A Tripartite Review Meeting is scheduled at Pagan on 28 August 1992, with the participation of all concerned agencies: - Department of Archaeology, Yangon Headquarters and Pagan Branch. - Foreign Economic Relations Department, Yangon. - UNDP, Yangon. - UNESCO, Paris Headquarters and Bangkok Regional Office. - Project Co-ordinators. 14. Summary of main recommendations. It is strongly recommended that the project for the Master Plan of Pagan be officially approved without delay and implemented simultaneously with the present project, their objectives being complementary and their implementation closely related. It is essential that the Department of Archaeology secures the permanent availability of skilled specialists and labourers by their recruitment under a be given five-year contract at attractive salary. It is recommended that emphasis to the inception of new activities such as the setting up of the field laboratory and the publication of the Conservation 16 Manuals, considering their usefulness for the daily field work in Pagan. ANNEX 1 Diary of the mission 7-12-91 Arrival in Bangkok 10-12-91 Meeting with R. Lujan and P. Pagnin 12-12-91 Meeting with Dr. Khan, UNESCO RACAP and J. Sanday 14-12-91 Travel to Yangon 16/20-12-91 Meetings at UNDP and Department of Archaeology 21-12-91 Travel to Pagan - field work 22-12-91 All consultants' meeting with the DirectorGeneral of the Department of Archaeology, the Chairman of the Nyaung U TLORC, J. Sanday and the Project Co-ordinators 24-12-91 Inspection of Nanpaya temple with P. Pagnin, P. Gavrilovic, J.C. Yarmola, J. Sanday and C. Manhart 3/7-01-92 Inspections on work-sites with Public Works engineer, Archaeological Research Officers, P. Gavrilovic and J.C. Yarmola 20-01-92 Slide projection on conservation project in Asia to staff members of Department of Archaeology and Public Works 18 21-01-92 Travel to Yangon 22/24-01-92 Travel to Bangkok 30-01-92 Meeting with Dr. Khan, UNESCO RACAP, Bangkok ANNEX 2 List of persons contacted Department of Archaeology, Yangon : U Than Maung, Director-General U Nyunt Han, Assistant Director, National Project Co-ordinator U Aye Ko, photogrammetry engineer U Ye Myint, draughtsman Department of Archaeology, Pagan : U Aung Kyaing, Research Officer U Ba Tint, Special Advisor U Aye Maung, Conservation Assistant U Myo Nyunt, Assistant Engineer Public Works, Pagan : Daw Tin Nwe Aye, Assistant engineer, Special Restoration Unit Yangon Institute of Technology, Yangon U Lwin Aung, Professor in Architecture U Cho Oo, Assistant Lecturer in Architecture Township L.O.R.C., Nyaung U Major Aung Soe, Chairman UNDP, Yangon : Mr. G. Merrem, Resident Representative Ms. F. Pansieri, Assistant Resident Representative (Programmes) U Hla Myint Hpu, Programme Officer 20 UNESCO : Dr. I. Khan, RACAP, Bangkok Mr. C. Manhart, Division of Cultural Heritage, Paris British Embassy, Yangon: Mr. Ralph Isaacs, Cultural Attache French Embassy, Yangon: Mr. Alain Briottet, Ambassador Mr. Didier Maule, Cultural Attache 21 ANNEX 3 Project Missions a. implemented in 1991 R. Lujan Painting and stucco 2-30 July 1991 conservation P. Pichard Project co-ordination 26 June - 9 Aug. 1991 R. Collins, Cultural tourism 7-28 Oct. 1991 C. Manhart UNESCO headguarters 12-27 Dec. 1991 R. Lujan Painting and stucco conservation 12 Dec. 1991 8 Feb. 1992 P. Pagnin Stone conservation 12 Dec. 1991 2 Jan. 1992 J. Sanday Master Plan 14 Dec. 1991 4 Jan. 1992 P. Pichard Project co-ordination 14 Dec. 1991 25 Jan. 1992 D. Zarri Painting and stucco conservation 16 Dec. 1991 2 Jan. 1992 C. Giantomassi Painting and stucco conservation 16 Dec. 1991 2 Jan. 1992 G. Lipp 22 C. Yarmola Gavrilovic Masonry restoration 18 Dec. 1991 14 Jan. 1992 Seismic strengthening 22 Dec. 1991 19 Jan. 1992 scheduled for 1992 Nakagawa Museum planner 1 m May 1992 Lujan Painting and stucco 2 m July-Aug. conservation 1992 Pichard Project co-ordination Invernizzi Lujan 1.5 m July-Aug. 1992 Photographer 3 w Aug. 1992 Painting and stucco 2 m Dec. 1992 conservation Jan. 1993 Pagnin Stone conservation 2 m Dec. 1992 Jan. 1993 Pichard Project co-ordina- 1.5 m Dec. 1992 tion Jan. 1993 23
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